Vinyl pressings
by The Boomtown Rats · 1981
The Elephants Graveyard (Guilty) was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 7 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
A 605 BONGO 2 A DM POLYGRAM A10Side A runout stamped variant 1
A 605 BONGO 2 B POLYGRAM A 2[e:]LSide B runout stamped variant 1
A 605 BONGO 2 A POLYGRAM A5Side A runout stamped variant 2
A 605 BONGO 2 B POLYGRAM A 8 [e:] ASide B runout stamped variant 2
605 BONGO 2 A POLYGRAM B - A1Side A stamped,etched variant 1
605 BONGO 2 B DM POLYGRAM BONGO MA ROCKE^T TU COMPRENDS? A11Side B stamped,etched variant 1
605 BONGO 2 A POLYGRAM A10 1 AJSide A stamped,etched variant 2
605 BONGO 2 B DM POLYGRAM B (backwards) BONGO MA ROCKE^T TU COMPRENDS?Side B stamped,etched variant 2
BONGO 2 A//4 ▽E UT 1L Ʊ I 3Side A runout stamped / etched
BONGO 2 B//3 ▽E UT 1L 2 Ʊ BONGO MA ROCKÊT TU COMPRENDS ?Side B runout stamped / etched
605 BONGO 2 A DM POLYGRAM A2Side A runout, variant 1
605 BONGO 2 B DM POLYGRAM A2 BONGO MA ROCKET TU COMPRENDS?Side B runout, variant 1
A 605 BONGO 2 A DM POLYGRAM 1 A6Side A runout, variant 2
A 605 BONGO 2 B DM POLYGRAM A6 BONGO MA ROCKET TU COMPRENDS?Side B runout, variant 2
6059 394 1W 1 ℗1980 670 06Runout (Stamped) Side A
6059 394 2W 1 ℗1980 670 06Runout (Stamped) Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Mercury 6059 394First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Ireland | WEA Ireland K 18454First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-27First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-27First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Mercury 6059 394First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | Mercury 60 59 394First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury BONGO 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury BONGO 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury BONGO 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury BONGO 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Mercury 6059 394First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of The Elephants Graveyard (Guilty) are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Netherlands, Australia, Ireland and more. One of them is Mercury BONGO 2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BONGO 2, 6059 394, K 18454, 7PP-27) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A 605 BONGO 2 A DM POLYGRAM A10 and A 605 BONGO 2 B POLYGRAM A 2[e:]L. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
